scholarly journals Drivers of plate waste: A mini theory of action based on staff observations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Dolnicar ◽  
Emil Juvan
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Theory Of Action ◽  
Plate Waste ◽  
Science Theory ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Service Staff ◽  
Theories Of Action ◽  
Plate Size

Restaurants waste one fifth of the food they buy; much is left behind on people's plates (Engström & Carlsson-Kanyama, 2004). Plate waste forces restaurants to buy more food than necessary, and to pay for food waste disposal; and burdens the environment, with agriculture “a dominant force behind…climate change” (Foley et al., 2011, p.337).Plate waste is under-researched in tourism (Gössling & Peeters, 2015), with buffets being particularly wasteful (15 g per person per day at breakfast; Juvan, Grün, & Dolnicar, 2018). Only two measures are proven to reduce plate waste at hotel buffets: smaller plates, and explaining to guests that getting seconds is better than taking too much at once (Kallbekken & Sælen, 2013). Social science theories underlie these effective practical measures: the idea of plate size reduction stems from obesity theory; and inviting patrons back leverages social norms. The present study develops a new “mini-theory of action” (Rossiter, 2011, p.119) to inform the development a wider range of practical measures for plate waste reduction. Mini-theories of action formulate possible reasons for human behaviour, opening these hypothesized cause-and-effect relationships up for empirical testing in real behavioural contexts (Rossiter, 2011). Mini-theories of action, arguably, are the starting point for any new social science theory. As such, our study's contribution is primarily theoretical. Pathways to practical impact are discussed.We conducted unstructured interviews with 10 chefs and 23 waiters/waitresses (of varying gender and work experience) in three four-star rated hotels serving buffet-style meals to 300–1200 guests daily. We asked why guests leave uneaten food behind. Service staff observe and talk to guests daily, frequently checking if they are finished. In response, guests offer explanations why some food remains uneaten. Chefs design menus to minimize food waste. We identify specific drivers of plate waste, and seven overarching themes.

scholarly journals Barriers for incoming of international researchers in the Czech Republic

Ergo ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 10-15
Author(s):  
Ondřej Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Service Organizations ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Social Science Theory ◽  
Science Theory ◽  
Using Data

Since the last decade the Czech Republic has certain ambitions in restructuring of its economy by increasing its performance in RTDI. These efforts are not possible without capacity building of scientists and researchers community, and in particular income of international scientists to the Czech Republic. However, this need is slowed down by a number of obstacles that are partly sketched in this article. The author is using data collected during almost three years of work experience in one of the service organizations focusing on assisting international researchers. The present article offers a comparison of the Czech context with several other European countries, the interpretation of the issue on the basis of current social science theory and an overview of existing efforts to address the topic.

scholarly journals Food plate waste: factors influencing insinuated intention in a university food service setting

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (7) ◽  
pp. 1536-1549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingyi Zhao ◽  
Louise Manning
Keyword(s):  
Food Waste ◽  
Food Service ◽  
Portion Size ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Plate Waste ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Setting ◽  
Plate Size ◽  
The University ◽  
Waste Food

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to consider the factors that influence food plate waste in a UK university food service setting and the insinuated intention to waste food among staff and students. Design/methodology/approach The study conducted empirical research using an online questionnaire (n=260) at the university. The data were analysed descriptively and inferentially by IBM SPSS Statistics version 22. Findings Multiple factors influence the level of food plate waste including gender, different categories of food, plate size, portion size and palatability. Two recommendations to reduce plate food waste in the university food service setting include providing a variation in plate size and pricing strategy by portion rather than a whole meal, and communicating with staff and students in the food service setting. Research limitations/implications The research contributes, along with previous studies, by focussing here on participants’ food waste intention in food service settings and evidencing the factors of influence. Originality/value The research contributes to understanding on participants’ food waste intention in food service settings.

scholarly journals Towards Integrating Realities - Pragmatic Constructivism and Arendt’s Theory of Action

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Lars Bo Henriksen
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Human Condition ◽  
The Other ◽  
Theory Of Action ◽  
Constructivist Approach ◽  
Integration Process ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Social Science Theory ◽  
Science Theory ◽  
Pragmatic Constructivism

The pragmatic constructivist approach provides us with a social science theory, the theory of reality, and its associated method, the conceptualising method. A key aspect in both the theory of reality and its associated conceptualising method is on the necessity of integrating four dimensions of reality – facts, logic, values and communication. But how? Nørreklit (2004) highlights the theoretical and methodological requirements for such integration of reality. Henriksen et al. (2004), on the other hand, describe the integration processes through a series of case stories. But a thorough conceptualisation of the process of integration is itself not analysed or conceptualised to the same substantive extent as are the other elements of the theory of reality.The key question addressed here therefore becomes: how might we better analyse and describe this process of integration? To address this question, I identify, albeit in skeletal outline, useful social theoretical correspondences between Arendt’s conceptualisation of action in The Human Condition (1958) and key attributes of the theory of reality, which, I claim, could possibly guide an entry into the ‘how’ of this elusive integration process.

Social Science Theory for Environmental Sustainability

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc J. Stern
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Persuasive Communication ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Social Science Theory ◽  
Science Theory ◽  
The Social ◽  
Communication Conflict ◽  
To Come ◽  
Sustainability Challenges

Social science theory for environmental sustainability: A practical guide makes social science theory accessible and usable to anyone interested in working toward environmental sustainability at any scale. Environmental problems are, first and foremost, people problems. Without better understandings of the people involved, solutions are often hard to come by. This book answers calls for demonstrating the value of theories from the social sciences for solving these types of problems and provides strategies to facilitate their use. It contains concise summaries of over thirty social science theories and demonstrates how to use them in diverse contexts associated with environmental conflict, conservation, natural resource management, and other environmental sustainability challenges. The practical applications of the theories include persuasive communication, conflict resolution, collaboration, negotiation, enhancing organizational effectiveness, working across cultures, generating collective impact, and building more resilient governance of social-ecological systems. Examples throughout the book and detailed vignettes illustrate how to combine multiple social science theories to develop effective strategies for environmental problem solving. The final chapter draws out key principles for enhancing these efforts. The book will serve as a key reference for environmental professionals, business people, students, scientists, public officials, government employees, aid workers, or any concerned citizen who wants to be better equipped to navigate the social complexities of environmental challenges and make a meaningful impact on any environmental issue.

Personhood, belonging, affect and affliction

2021 ◽  
pp. 003802612110192
Author(s):  
Alex Broom ◽  
Sophie Lewis ◽  
Rhiannon Parker ◽  
Leah Williams Veazey ◽  
Katherine Kenny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Photo Elicitation ◽  
Social Science Theory ◽  
Science Theory ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Caring Relations ◽  
Cultural Origins

What does migrancy mean for personhood, and how does this flow through caring relations? Drawing on life history interviews and photo elicitation with 43 people who identify as migrants and live with cancer, here we argue for the significance of recognising complex personhood as it inflects illness and care. Drawing on social science theory around temporalities, moralities and belonging, we assemble a series of cross-cutting themes at the intersection of personhood and care; relations that transcend cultural origins yet are vividly illustrated in relation to migrant pasts. In seeking a multidimensional view of personhood, we attend to the intersecting layers of complexity that make up care in this context vis-a-vis an emphasis on forms of difference, vulnerability and otherness. In this way, we develop an approach to personhood and care that broadens the lens on migrancy and cancer, but also, one that speaks to the importance of recognition of complexity and how it shapes care more generally.

scholarly journals Estimation of the Scale of Food Waste in Hotel Food Services—A Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 421
Author(s):  
Marzena Tomaszewska ◽  
Beata Bilska ◽  
Agnieszka Tul-Krzyszczuk ◽  
Danuta Kołożyn-Krajewska
Keyword(s):  
Food Waste ◽  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Food Service ◽  
Food Services ◽  
Plate Waste ◽  
Diary Method ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Dining Room

The problem of food waste in food services, which is global and essentially affects the entire world, is a major challenge for the hospitality industry. At the same time, it should be noted that this problem has not been sufficiently studied, which makes it difficult to reduce it effectively. The study was carried out in four hotels in late 2019 and early 2020. In order to determine the scale of food waste, the diary method was used, which consists of systematically recording, for seven days, in forms prepared for workstations, the weight of all food products and unused food, including the stage of the technological process. In the hotels under study, most food was wasted in the serving department, i.e., in the buffet in the dining room or in the form of plate waste (on average 72.55% of wasted food). After taking into account the number of hotel guests served, it was found that in the investigated facilities, an average of 0.046 kg was wasted from each serving offered to guests in the form of plate waste, which constituted 5.8% of its weight. In sum, it should be stated that in order to reduce food waste, it is necessary to educate both food services staff and consumers. Employees should be trained in the proper handling of food. Consumer education, on the other hand, should be directed toward raising awareness of the negative impact of food waste, such as that on the natural environment. In addition, it should indicate what action everyone can take to limit this negative phenomenon, whether at home, in the workplace, or in a food service establishment.

Social Ontology and Model-Building: A Response to Epstein

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-192
Author(s):  
Nadia Ruiz
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Model Building ◽  
Social Ontology ◽  
Model Construction ◽  
Ontological Commitments ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Social

Brian Epstein has recently argued that a thoroughly microfoundationalist approach towards economics is unconvincing for metaphysical reasons. Generally, Epstein argues that for an improvement in the methodology of social science we must adopt social ontology as the foundation of social sciences; that is, the standing microfoundationalist debate could be solved by fixing economics’ ontology. However, as I show in this paper, fixing the social ontology prior to the process of model construction is optional instead of necessary and that metaphysical-ontological commitments are often the outcome of model construction, not its starting point. By focusing on the practice of modeling in economics the paper provides a useful inroad into the debate about the role of metaphysics in the natural and social sciences more generally.

Discussion of Erik Martinez Kuhonta, Dan Slater, and Tuong Vu's Southeast Asia in Political Science: Theory, Region, and Qualitative Analysis

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-208
Author(s):  
Thomas B. Pepinsky ◽  
Barbara Geddes ◽  
Duncan McCargo ◽  
Richard Robison ◽  
Erik Martinez Kuhonta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Political Science ◽  
Comparative Politics ◽  
Sensitive Area ◽  
Theoretical Orientations ◽  
Social Science Knowledge ◽  
Science Theory

Comparative politics has witnessed periodic debates between proponents of contextually sensitive area studies research and others who view such work as unscientific, noncumulative, or of limited relevance for advancing broader social science knowledge. In Southeast Asia in Political Science: Theory, Region, and Qualitative Analysis, edited by Erik Martinez Kuhonta, Dan Slater, and Tuong Vu, a group of bright, young Southeast Asianists argue that contextually sensitive research in Southeast Asia using qualitative research methods has made fundamental and lasting contributions to comparative politics. They challenge other Southeast Asianists to assert proudly the contributions that their work has made and urge the rest of the comparative politics discipline to take these contributions seriously. This symposium includes four short critical reviews of Southeast Asia in Political Science by political scientists representing diverse scholarly traditions. The reviews address both the methodological and the theoretical orientations of the book and are followed by a response from the editors.

Human Rights between Jurisprudence and Social Science

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALEXANDRA HUNEEUS
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
The Other ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
Social Science Theory ◽  
Science Theory ◽  
The One

AbstractThis article argues that human rights law – which mediates between claims about universal human nature, on the one hand, and hard-fought political battles, on the other – is in particular need of a richer exchange between jurisprudential approaches and social science theory and methods. Using the example of the Inter-American Human Rights System, the article calls for more human rights scholarship with a new realist sensibility. It demonstrates in what ways legal and social science scholarship on human rights law both stand to improve through sustained, thoughtful exchange.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document